News

Through a generous gift of the Francis Maria Foundation for Justice and Peace, the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America will once again grant several scholarships in the amount of $2,500 to students attending an accredited College.

AURORA, OR (11/19/10) -- Liturgica.com today announced the launch of a download store for the sale of liturgical chant in MP3 download format. This web implementation will offer the first ever availability of a single comprehensive offering of liturgical chant for download to enable files to be played on computers and more importantly, MP3 players like i-Pod, Zune, etc. All tracks for download will be offered in the highest MP3 quality format available.

Liturgica.com currently offers the largest collection of physical CDs of liturgical music on the web, concentrating on Byzantine, Russian and other Eastern Christian chant forms, as well as a variety of Western Christian chant. The decision to implement MP3 download capability was made after watching demographic trends, and also surveying its own customer base this summer. Increasing percentages of classical music fans are purchasing music downloads, and over 45% of Liturgica.com's customers indicated an affirmative interest.

The sale of MP3 downloads is a new distribution model that has caused challenges to the music industry, but is here to stay. It requires labels to enter into a different contractual arrangement with the seller, as the recently announced agreement between The Beatles Apple Records and i-Tunes illustrates. Liturgica.com is launching its download store with a range of artists from small, independent to large, international labels, all of whom recognize the change in music sales and want to be a part as well as support their fans who prefer to purchase music this way.

Like many of his parishioners, Father Richard Petranek came to the Orthodox church in search of the past.

After 30 years as an Episcopalian priest, Petranek converted to the Antiochian Orthodox Church and leads a new but growing parish in west Houston, filled almost entirely with converts to the ancient faith.

"Most people come for the stability," he said. "The same thing that is taught today in the Orthodox church was taught 500 years ago, was taught 1,000 years ago, was taught 1,500 years ago."

At a time when most mainline Christian churches are losing members, Eastern Orthodox churches — which trace their beliefs to the church described in the New Testament - are growing, both in Houston and across the United States.

Last fall, Archpriest Fr. Don Hock of St. Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church in Omaha, traveled to India with the OCMC, in order to minister with a teaching team in an orphanage in Bakeswar, and in Calcutta. Composed of three laymen and three clergy, the six-member team taught catechism classes, visited with orphanage children, served liturgy in the Orthodox Church of the Holy Transfiguration in Calcutta, and visited several Christian churches and sites of interest there.

"In many ways," wrote Fr. Don in his journal, "this was a full-circle event for me, as some of the missionary experience my wife and I had was in reaching out to the Indian immigrant population in England. And now, I was heading for India itself to preach the Gospel as before, but this time we were also bringing the fullness, depth and richness of the Holy Orthodox Faith to the hungry hearts of those waiting for us to come and minister to them." Read all of Fr. Hock's daily thoughts and impressions here in his Mission Trip Journal.

Father Barnabas (center) and Father Pavlos (right), priests of the Greek Orthodox parish of St. Jean de Freres in the Bobin neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, visit with people left homeless by the January 2010 earthquake: (Photo credit: Paul Jeffrey/IOCC)Baltimore, MD (IOCC) – A year after a 7.0 earthquake devastated the lives of millions of Haitians reminders of the disaster – and the continued need – are everywhere.

"Beyond the immediate needs that emerged following the disaster, the earthquake has exposed the suffering of the Haitian people," observed Constantine M. Triantafilou, IOCC executive director. "Much remains to be done to address the long-term need for permanent housing, clean water and sanitation, and other basic necessities that will help to restore justice, dignity and peace for the people of Haiti."

International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) has provided $4 million in direct assistance to the people of Haiti since January 12, 2010. Yet, the level of devastation that required one of the largest relief operations in history has been complicated by a fragile infrastructure, limited government capacity and soaring poverty levels.

"The earthquake was the first of three major disaster that threatened Haitians this past year," said Mark Ohanian, IOCC director of programs. "The frequent disasters and threats to public health call attention to the vulnerability of the Haitian people, the magnitude of the work ahead and the continuing need for assistance."

IOCC has been focusing its efforts on delivering basic food and hygiene items, providing assistance to schools, addressing health and hygiene needs and mitigating the long-term effects of natural disasters.

The North American Office of Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) announced today the details of its 2011 Chaplains Conference, to be held at the Antiochian Village in Ligonier, PA, on February 8-10, 2011. The annual gathering of clergy and lay leaders of local OCF chapters will focus on the theme of “Following Christ through Crisis,” with the goal of equipping chaplains and lay leaders to help students remain strong in their faith and in the pursuit of their calling even in the midst of crises, be they personal or interpersonal, emotional, physical or spiritual.

Designed to offer practical learning in the field of campus ministry, the keynote sessions will be offered by Fr. John Abdalah, a veteran OCF Chaplain at the University of Pittsburgh and licensed counselor. A variety of mini-clinics will be offered as options, with focused topics ranging from “The First Two Weeks of the Semester,” to “Developing Continuity in Student Leadership.”

Twenty scholarships covering all travel and registration costs will be awarded to applicants, with majority funding coming through a grant from The Lilly Endowment for the Theological Exploration of Vocations. Current OCF Chaplains as well as those interested in this rewarding ministry are encouraged to apply. Scholars will in turn submit written reflections on their own vocations as campus ministers.

Fr. Michael Nasser, OCF’s North American Chaplain and one of the organizers of the Conference, said this about the focus of this year’s conference: “It’s simply the way things are: the great majority of college students today will face multiple crises during their college years. Most students do well until a crisis hits, and that’s when many lose their way. We hope we can better equip our chaplains to help our students get through these challenging times, holding fast to Christ and His Church as their anchor.”

The Assembly of Bishops has announced who will be the Liaison Bishops for the agencies of the Assembly. These bishops, while not part of the agencies' governing structures, are responsible for coordination between the Assembly and their particular agency, and for providing episcopal guidance on behalf of the Assembly for all that agency's activities. For instance, for the Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting (EOCS) the National Chairman is George N. Boulukos and the Episcopal Liaison is Bishop Daniel (UOC-USA). For the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), the Executive Director and CEO is Constantine M. Triantafilou, the Chairman is Alex Machaskee, and the Episcopal Liaison is Archbishop Nicolae (ROAA).

On December 22, 2010, His Eminence Metropolitan Philip hosted His Eminence Archbishop Justinian, the Administrator of the Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in the United States for a visit to the Archdiocese Headquarters in Englewood, NJ.

Attending the meeting (and pictured in the accompanying photo from left to right were):

MEMORY ETERNAL! The child of God Lucia Camille Baba, five month old daughter of Father Anthony & Khouriya Ramia of St Anthony Church in Spring, TX, reposed late last evening of complications arising from Trisomy 18 (also known as Trisomy E or Edwards syndrome).

The Funeral for a Child will be served tomorrow morning, December 24th, at 11:00 AM at St. George Church in Houston, TX. Condolences may be sent to Father Anthony and Khouriya Ramia at franthonybaba@gmail.com.

Please join me in praying a rope for the repose of Lucia's soul, saying, "O Lord Jesus Christ, receive in peace the soul of Thy child Lucia." May God grant Paradise to Lucia and consolation to her parents, grandparents and all the Baba and Ibrahim families.

Saint Katherine College, a new independent Orthodox Christian institution slated to begin classes in the fall of 2011, will host "College Kaleidoscope Days" for high school juniors and seniors at its Encinitas, CA campus Thursday and Saturday, January 20th and 22nd, 2011. The event will feature presentations on goal setting, discerning a "good fit" when selecting a college, fun activities, lunch, and more. For more information log on to the college’s web site.

Annual Christmas visit of the Choir of St. George in Little Falls, NJ Held at the Archdiocese Headquarters in Englewood, New Jersey on December 21, 2010

On December 21, 2010, His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP hosted the Annual Christmas visit of the Choir from St. George in Little Falls, NJ at the Archdiocese Headquarters. This visit has become an annual tradition, and always fills the headquarters with the joy of music, and good fellowship.

The choir began the singing of Christmas hymns outside the front entrance of the house and then made its way into the house to greet His Eminence. They were led by the pastor, Very Rev. Elias Bitar, and Mrs. Christine Lynch, the choir director. After receiving a blessing from His Eminence, the choir continued their beautiful singing in the living room. At the conclusion of the musical program, everyone gathered in the chapel for evening prayers.

Finally, the choir was treated to dessert and coffee in the dining room.

As always, it was an evening of joy and good fellowship during this most blessed season of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ.

On December 15, the documentary "Mysteries of the Jesus Prayer" was posted on Comcast and Verizon Fios Video-On-Demand in a pre-theatrical release. In early 2011 it will debut in theaters and will eventually be available on DVD.

A companion book, “Mysteries of the Jesus Prayer: Experiencing the Presence of God and a Pilgrimage to the Heart of an Ancient Spirituality,” will be published February 8, 2011 by HarperOne.

The film and book begin with a visit to St. Anthony's in Upper Egypt, the oldest existing monastery on earth, where Father Lazarus explains what the prayer is and how to use it. The authors' voyage continues to St. Catherine's monastery, in existence near Mt. Sinai since the fifth century, and to monastic communities in Eastern Europe: Romania, Ukraine and Russia.

Traveling with cameras and crews to ancient lands of peace and solitude, the Very Rev. Dr. John McGuckin, Ane Marie and Bent Emil Nielsen (Professor of Byzantine Christian Studies, Union Theological Seminary/Columbia University), and Dr. Norris J. Chumley, a media producer and columnist for Beliefnet, visited hermits, priests and nuns in caves and monasteries to record their use of this ancient mystical prayer.

The film's beautiful cinematography captures the heart of Orthodox faith and worship.

Orthodox Christian Network is featuring several podcasts in the week leading up to Christmas, that focus on holiday themes. In "Teens and Technology," Dr. Ary Christofidis discusses the new dominance of tech toys under the Christmas tree, and looks at the potential pitfalls this can cause. In "Battling Over Nativity Scenes," the Just Thinking podcast with Fr. Chris Metropulos and journalist Terry Mattingly, discusses how Christmas for most is now defined by shopping and commerce. "Is there a better way for us to celebrate a Christmas filled with the Love of Christ rather than battling over where we place our Nativity Scenes?" they ask. "Message in our Christmas Carols," is a segment of the Theologically Thinking podcast, in which Fr. William Chiganos examines the messages found within the traditional Carols enjoyed in December. Other podcasts tackle the topics of stress, and recovering the joy and peace found in the faith.

In May 2010, Ancient Faith Radio, at the request of the Friends of the Hogar Rafael Ayau, recorded the children of the Hogar Rafael Ayau in Guatemala City singing the Orthodox Christian Hymns for Matins and Vespers as they do in their daily lives at the Hogar.

The CD includes 25 tracks. All proceeds from the sale of the CD will support the Capital Campaign Building Fund to bring construction of a new home for the children, Hogar San Miguel, to fruition. The children are in desperate need of a safer place to live away from the dangers surrounding the current orphanage.

The CD's are priced at $22 - $18.00 plus $4 for Shipping and Handling.

Order of St. Ignatius awards $3000 grant renewal for continued Chinese translation of Lives of Saints

The Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch, at its governing council meeting held in Jacksonville, Florida on October 22, 2010, approved a $3,000 grant renewal to the Orthodox Fellowship of All Saints of China.

This grant comes with the archpastoral blessing of Metropolitan Philip at a critical juncture after the inaugural publication of the Chinese translation of the January volume of the Prologue from Ohrid by St. Nikolai of Zica, supplemented with additional lives of selected saints from other synaxaria.

The grant will make possible the uninterrupted translation and publication of subsequent monthly volumes of this invaluable work for the daily spiritual nourishment of the Chinese speaking Faithful and inquirers into the Faith from other confessions, in and outside of China.

As a supplement to the grant, consider sponsoring for a specific daily reading of the Prologue from Ohrid, for the good health or in memory of loved one, for a names day, wedding anniversary, day of repose, or any other special occasion, which will be noted on the bottom of each sponsored entry of the Prologue, and those reading the daily devotion for that day can pray for your loved ones. Check feast days available for sponsorship at http://prologue.orthodox.cn/prayers.html.

Several Antiochian Christians have been instrumental in forming the Friends of Indonesia, an organization dedicated to furthering the Indonesian mission efforts of Fr. Daniel Byantoro. Antiochian priest Fr. Gordon Walker serves as Board Chair, along with Treasurer Cal Oren, parishioner at Holy Cross in Linthicum, Maryland.

Recently, Friends of Indonesia launched a website that gives the history of the Orthodox Indonesian Church, introduces the clergy and parishes to readers, and hosts photo galleries of the ongoing growth of the Church there. Explains Board Chair Fr. Gordon Walker, "We hold firmly to the Orthodox missionary imperative that the Church grows in each local culture according to the truths those cultures already hold. We labor to bring the Gospel of Christ to the Indonesian people in ways that respects and affirms their cultural distinctiveness, and build a Church that will reflect and strengthen the rich cultural heritage they already possess. It is hard to overstate the miracle happening in Indonesia. Our hope is that you might become inspired as we are and join us in this effort."

We look with joyous anticipation to the Nativity of our Lord. We are also honored that Metropolitan Philip has designated December 19 as the day to honor The Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch. Attached are three documents (Word format):

I ask that our Diocesan Chairs send these documents to a member of The Order of each parish in your diocese AND parish priest with a request that a presentation be made this coming Sunday, preferably by a member of The Order or alternatively, the parish priest.

I thank each of you for your commitment and service to The Order and to our Antiochian Archdiocese. We are blessed that so many people have come forward to give generously and from their heart to those in need. We believe and witness God combining our individual gifts and then multiplying them so that combined we can do what none can do alone. This is the "miracle of The Order."

May our Lord bless you and your family and grant you a joyous Nativity and a healthy, happy, and peaceful 2011.

The Web Site of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America(formerly known as the "Episcopal Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Hierarchs in North and Central America") is now live. Take a look at www.episcopalassembly.org. Updates and additions will continue to be made to the several web pages which comprise the site, so check back frequently!

MEMORY ETERNAL! Abraham "Bus" Bayouth, 94, of Skiatook, Oklahoma, father of A.B. Bayouth, vice president of DOWAMA's Fellowship of St. John and tireless supporter of Camp Saint Raphael, fell asleep in Christ this past Monday, December 13th, 2010. The Trisagion Prayers of Mercy will be chanted for the repose of his soul on December 15 at seven o'clock at St. Antony Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma and the funeral will be served on December 16 at two o'clock at the Skiatook High School Activity Center. Condolences to his wife Mrs. Abraham (Su'ad) Bayouth and their three sons A.B., Gary and Gregory. Please join me in praying a rope for the repose of his soul, saying, "O Lord Jesus Christ, grant rest to the soul of Thy departed servant." May he be granted Paradise, and may you be granted long life.

On December 7-9, clergy from all over the west gathered for their second annual retreat at the Holy Monastery of the Theotokos, the Life Giving Spring, in Dunlap, California. Led by four bishops, His Eminence, Metropolitan Gerasimos [Greek Archdiocese]; His Grace, Bishop Joseph [Antiochian Archdiocese]; His Grace, Bishop Benjamin [OCA]; and His Grace, Bishop Maxim [Serbian Patriarchate], clergy of all jurisdictions enjoyed the beautiful facilities of the St. Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center, listened to speakers, and worshipped together. Clergy came back to their parishes refreshed and edified by the teaching on the topic "Physician Heal Thyself--Orthodox steps of spiritual transformation" with Retreat Master Archimandrite Meletios (Webber), Abbot of the St. John the Wonderworker Monastery in Manton, CA.

Orthodox Institute SessionA successful season for the Orthodox Institute, an innovative and highly regarded Christian Education training program pioneered by Antiochian Christian Education Director Carole Buleza, concluded with a three day Institute at Antiochian Village in November. Institutes took place in cities both in Canada and the U.S. St. Michael's Church in Van Nuys, California was the site for the first Institute on September 18; subsequent Institutes were hosted in Edmonton on October 2, then Harrisburg on October 9, Ontario on October 23, and finally at Antiochian Village on November 4-7. Noted iconographers and speakers taught sessions that fit into one of three tracks: Church School Director, Teacher Training, or Orthodoxy. Participants came from all regions and jurisdictions.

Besides racking up the miles, Director Carole Buleza also met with many teachers across the country, and she commented on the spirit of pan-Orthodox cooperation present this year, enabling her to reflect afterwards that this year's Institute "was a decisive event for Orthodox Christian Education." (See an Institute photo gallery here.)

Attendees offered these retrospectives:

This past November the halls, meeting rooms and dining hall at the Antiochian Village were alive with the language of iconography. At this year’s Orthodox Institute, the 10th anniversary, the theme was icononography; the history of icons; the stories they tell; praying with icons and using them as a tool for teaching. The three-day institute began with a keynote address by Frederica Mathewes-Green, who spoke of her personal experience with icons and her journey to Orthodoxy; this was followed by two days of workshops on icons, which included presentations by the well-known iconographer/illustrator, Niko Chochelli, iconographer, Cheryl Pituch and authors, Anton Vram and Chrissie Hart and the staff of the Antiochian Orthodox Department of Christian Education.

St. George of TroyDETROIT, MI [COCC] -- A fall benefit concert sponsored by the Council of Orthodox Christian Churches of Metropolitan Detroit [COCC] raised more than $5,000.00 for International Orthodox Christian Charities [IOCC].

Over 1000 people attended the Dec. 3rd House of Blues at Downtown Disney charity concert benefiting FOCUS Orange County and two other local charities. FOCUS Orange County was given 15 minutes of stage time to share the work FOCUS Orange County is doing and collected 150 cans of food for the food pantry at El Dorado Motel, which makes the food available to the many working poor families staying at its motel and the neighboring Valencia Motel.

In November, FOCUS Orange County began its weekly meal ministry at the Valencia, where 100+ meals are served each Sunday night by FOCUS volunteers. Working poor families may also receive clothing items that have been donated.

Stocking the El Dorado’s food pantry is just one more way FOCUS Orange County is working with area Orthodox churches to make sure that working poor families will not have to choose between food or shelter this Christmas.